P. Kane defines the modern forward. Who defines the modern D?

[aufheben]

Modern, you say?

 

[aufheben]

This may be a copout, but I feel that a young defenseman’s nationality or heritage will play a significant role in who they look up to and/or try to emulate.

That’s absolutely true. I don’t understand what it is you’re copping out of though?

 

[foggyvisor]

Modern, you say?

Pump. The. Brakes.

 

[aufheben]

Pump. The. Brakes.

I didn’t write the tweet (account is two coaches/video analysts for private school/midget teams in Ohio).

Also, no.

 

[avsfan9]

Adam Fox seems to be right in the modern mold. Mid sized (Makar and Hughes aren't the formula, they're tiny. Most top defensemen are still 6 feet or so at least). Great skating, extremely good passing skills and very strong stick work. Every player's physical game is going to be entirely different from the next, no mold on that front.

Yes Makars size is really stopping him from becoming an elite defensman. At least he hits people.

 

[East Coast Icestyle]

Yes Makars size is really stopping him from becoming an elite defensman. At least he hits people.

I didn't say it worked against him nor did I say he wasn't elite. The topic is the typical mold of defenseman nowadays. I can safely say that the average top 4-top 2 defenseman in the league is not 5'11 or smaller, and overall that's not liable to change. Usually the smaller players become wingers where they can abuse their size and speed.

 

[Tacitus Kilgore]

Probably Brett Lebda

 

[Pockets16]

Hedman is a good but not great defenseman. Many compare his game to Pronger but he has nothing on Prongers game and career.

Really? his Conn Smythe, Norris trophy and numbers say otherwise. He might not have Prongers mean streak but he dominates the game in a different way and is very much a great defenseman,

 

[Tobias Kahun]

Adam Fox or Cale Makar.

 

[Hextallent63]

Hedman easily. Guys like makar though, its tough. You can be so fast and so good at things like makar but a little more size along with agility and speed too makes a huge difference, in my humble opinion

 

[Furio]

That’s absolutely true. I don’t understand what it is you’re copping out of though?

Mentioning any specific players as evidence in support of my unresearched theory

 

[Kaner9]

Makar is my best bet. Hedmans size is too rare for this situation.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Erik Karlsson without a doubt.
Makar modeled his game after Karlsson, Brannstrom, Liljegren, Boqvist, Dobson, Beaudin, Drysdale all probably wouldn’t be as prominent picks if it wasn’t for Karlsson.
He led the currency generation of defence men and inspired kids to be like him.

 

[ESH]

With the way the game is played now, I would say it’s someone like Pietrangelo. Not looking for the big hit, great at stick checking, great positioning, knows when to slow things down and when to speed things up. Can rush the puck and has a great outlet pass. He won’t get named, because he isn’t flashy, but from what I’m seeing as a coach, this is what most young players on D are looking to be.

I’ve always thought that Pietrangelo played like a worse version of Lidstrom

 

[Crease]

I suspect that a lot of the names mentioned (Makar, Hughes, Fox) would say they modeled their game after Karlsson. Karlsson was a fleet-footed beast at both ends of the ice before injuries, age, and personal tragedy caught him.

 

[Conbon]

Adam Fox

 

[93LEAFS]

Model their game after? I feel Doughty was the most constant one you'd hear. Hedman's raw tools were too freaky. But, I'd say for forwards you'd probably hear Crosby the most for forwards. But, there is no one who completely revolutionized a position to the extent every goalie born after 1982 modelled their game after Roy (Hasek was as good or better, but trying to replicate his play-style wasn't realistic).

 

[snipes]

Kris Russell and his starfish ways.

In all seriousness, a player like Makar came to mind immediately.

 

[Raym11]

Doughty in his "prime" years of play would be my vote. Right now it would be Hedman